I called it "car seat blanketey" because I was sure it would spend most of its time with me on short trips into preschool or longer trips to my house in rural America. But, who am I to be so discernive? I don't know much about Native American history. I decided to give it another chance and to learn more about the item, before I become so quick to forget. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the item had incredible historical and provenance. It dates back the middle of the nineteenth century when John Chantland (a Norwegian immigrant) traded blankets for unspecified goods. It has been in the same family since its sale. Native American blankets are a relic the "First Phase," of Navajo weaving. Using techniques derived directly from Puebla, the Navajos woven tight-woven blankets made of the finest wool. These Native American blankets were very valuable and extremely expensive. Native American chiefs wore them only. They were also valued by native traders and Spanish traders. There are only about 100 blankets left today, despite their exceptional quality. This blanket was lot #1062 and was auctioned at John Moran's. It was expected to fetch $100,000-$200,000. It was clearly a popular item that sold for a high price.
The Burntwater rugs display a combination of earth tones andpastels. Colors such as brown, sienna,mustard, and rust are accented with pale colors such as rose, green, blue,white, and lilac. The designs can use geometric spirals, head-to-head triangles, stepped diagonals,and multiple borders. The Burntwater style is newer and is basically an expansionof the traditional TwoGrey Hillsdesigns by weavers in the Wide Ruins/Burntwater area south of Gando.
Are you attracted to the beauty and craftsmanship of Navajo rugs but confused by all the terminology being thrown around in the galleries? Here’s a brief history of Navajo weaving that will help you sort out the most common terms, and give you a head start when you venture out to shop for these fascinating examples of Native American art. The Navajo (Dine [dih-NEH] in their own language) are Athabascan-speaking people who migrated to the Southwest from Canada in about the 15th century.
Any handmade imitation Navajo rug made in the United States would probably be woven with the firm intentions of deceiving the buyer. There would hardly be any other reason for a American non-Indian to put in the time and effort required to weave a convincing fake. Because of the economics and the work required, there are very few US made fake Navajo rugs. Navajo rugs are highly sought-after hand-woven textiles that can command a high price. However, it is not uncommon to find sellers who use the term “Navajo” for textiles that look like authentic Navajo rugs but are not Navajo made. Knowing the difference is important to avoid overpaying for textiles that actually have much less value. Most indicators need to be observed in person, making online buying more challenging.
Hopefully this article clarified all details about the reasons why Navajo Rugs are so costly. Although they are a bit expensive, these rugs can be considered a symbol for American heritage and culture. We also provide guides on specific rug issues. These discussions will give you a better understanding of the carpets and rugs in your home. According to US News, the Navajo Nation is the largest Native American tribe in the U.S. According to the Indian Health Service, the majority of the members of the group live on the largest Indian reservation in the country, 16 million acres. This area is mainly in Arizona, but also includes parts of New Mexico, Utah and New Mexico. Since over a century, the southwestern U.S. has been home to the Navajo. The Navajo were once at war with white settlers, Native tribes and other Native peoples. They developed a skill that allowed them to produce blankets. Although the Navajo are well-known for many things, their weaving skills are most widely known. According to PBS, the group learned two skills from Spanish during the 17th century -- how to shear sheep and how make wool. They had learned complex weaving techniques from the Pueblo by the end of the 17th century.
For $20-50 per item, I can help you identify a textile. Click here to contact me with information about the textile you are interested in. The Eyedazzler would have been the preferred method of calling the weaver. It may also be called a squash blossom by some. The top's banded rug doesn't fit in any particular regional style. Some people might call it a saddle blanket or chief blanket design. The bottom one is from Working with the Wool, a book by Noel Bennett & Tiana Bighorse. Noel was a Gallup resident when you were living in Church Rock. She taught weaving at the library every Thursday night, I believe. It doesn't match any regional description.
From the 1880s through the 1930s, reservation traders were the Navajos’ primary contact with the outside world. As such, they also were the weavers’ primary-or even sole-customers. Therefore traders exercised significant influence on weavings simply by paying more for the designs, sizes, colors, and qualities they wanted. Of course, trader’s choices were driven by what they thought they could sell to their off-reservation customers, but they also were guided by their own aesthetic sensibilities. As a result, distinctive styles of rugs emerged around several trading posts in the first years of the twentieth century. Such combinations of pattern and color are known as Regional Styles and are typically named after the trading post that encouraged their production.